Nov 3 (DM) Only 38.7% of SL people believe that the current govt will be effective in addressing corruption, a survey has revealed. Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) National Public Opinion Survey on reconciliation, accountable governance and active citizenship conducted by Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in SL (SCOPE), a project co-funded by the EU, German Federal Foreign Office, has revealed that 38.7% believe that the current govt will be effective in addressing corruption. more..

Nov 3 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has urged religious leaders, including the Maha Sangha, to extend their support to the national program aimed at eradicating the drug menace from SL. Prez emphasised that this initiative requires the cooperation of all communities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. The Head of State made these remarks while attending a ceremony held today (2) at the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Int'l Buddhist Conference Hall, more..

Nov 3 (ST) Ministry of Transport & Highways this week blacklisted four leading building contractors, debarring them from participating in tenders for periods of between three years and six months. It is the first time such action has ever been taken in the highways sector. Consulting Engineers & Contractors (Pvt) Ltd (3 years), V.V. Karunaratne & Company (1 year), HOVAEL Construction (Pvt) Ltd (1 year), and W.K.K. Engineering Company more..

Nov 3 (EN) Sri Lanka’s onion and potato farmers should be trained in techniques used elsewhere and be given a chance to learn from their peers in other countries, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said. Sri Lanka’s current administration continued Rajapaksa regime import protection on onion and potatoes, which costs more to produce in Sri Lanka, partly due to low yields coming from bad cultivation practices and poor-quality seeds in some cases. Due to years of protection, more..

Nov 3 (CI) This had been India's World Cup all along. As hosts. As the emerging global powerhouse of women's cricket. As the team that has pushed the sport's hegemonic force harder than any other, defeating it twice in semi-finals. As the team whose time had been too long in coming. On Sunday, India made it their World Cup by winning it. Shafali Verma capped an extraordinary week with an extraordinary display in the final: 87 off 78 balls to set up a total of 298 for 7, and two unexpected wickets more..

Nov 3 (EN) Sri Lanka’s current foreign exchange inflows were US$ 2,337 million in September, down from US$ 2,521 million in August, while imports surged over 300 million dollars to US$ 2,048 million, official data showed. Gross current inflows exceeded merchandise imports by only US$ 289 million in September down from around US$ 600 million consistently over the past year. Personal vehicle imports were US$ 227.5 million in September up from US$ 198.9 million in August. more..

Nov 3 (DM) SL’s adoption of artificial intelligence lags significantly on the global stage, placing it among the nations with the lowest AI usage rates, a major news report has revealed. The country’s AI diffusion rate stands at a mere 6.2%, a figure that not only trails far behind global leaders but also falls below the average for the Global South and many of its South Asian neighbours. This stark reality, detailed in the Nov 2025 AI Diffusion Report from the Microsoft AI Economy Institute, more..

Nov 3 (TM) IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has issued a clarification regarding security arrangements for MPs and local authority members, refuting media reports that all MPs who request security personnel will receive them. During a meeting on Friday (31), IGP confirmed that Police security provision was not an automatic entitlement for MPs and local authority officeholders simply on request. more..

Nov 3 (TM) The next leg of capital appreciation in dollar bonds issued by Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be triggered by rating upgrades, according to Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Goldman Sachs Head of Global Fixed Income for Asia Pacific Salman Niaz, said that in the next six to 12 months, rating upgrades will be the first catalyst and market access the next, for capital appreciation. “There is a limited number of improving credit stories in emerging Asian sovereign bond markets more..

Nov 3 (NW) Former SL captain Marvan Atapattu has called for a complete social media ban for national cricketers, arguing that online distractions are affecting players’ focus and professionalism. Atapattu said cricketers representing the country should devote their full attention to training and performance, suggesting that staying away from social media — at least for some time — would help players regain focus and commitment. “If players feel they need social media, they should more..

Nov 3 (FT) SL’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) posted a mixed financial performance during the first half of 2025, with overall profits declining to Rs. 227.8 billion from Rs. 280.7 billion a year earlier. The fall was largely due to a sharp reversal in the CEB performance, which swung from a substantial profit to a loss following tariff reductions. These losses outweighed gains recorded by State banks & other profitable enterprises, more..

Nov 3 (DN) The right arm fast bowler Eshan Malinga has been recalled for both National ODI and T-20 squads for the forthcoming Pakistan tour while top order batsman Kamil Mishara and paceman Promod Madushan have been named for the ODI squad. Both squads are subject to approval from the Sports Minister. Mishara who was in the last Asia Cup T-20 series has been included in both squads with his batting performance and Nuwanidu Fernando couldn’t find a place in both squads due to more..

Nov 3 (FT) Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (BV CPS) Lanka Ltd., part of Bureau Veritas, has been honoured with the prestigious Gold award under the Environment Friendly Private Institutions category at the Presidential Environment Awards 2025, demonstrating remarkable progress from their Silver award achievement last year. This represents a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental excellence and sustainable business practices. more..

Nov 3 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB), under its Women Entrepreneurship Development Program in collaboration with Verité Research, successfully conducted the training program on Leveraging Trade Data for Export Success on 21 Oct at the EDB Training Arena, Colombo. The program brought together 35 women-led exporters from diverse sectors, providing them with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of global trade dynamics, analyse market trends, more..

Nov 3 (FT) Sri Lanka participated in Beautyworld Middle East 2025, held from 27–29 October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. With over 75,000 visitors and 2,400 exhibitors from around the world, the 29th edition of Beautyworld Middle East provided an ideal platform for Sri Lankan companies to engage with international buyers, explore potential export opportunities, and showcase their range of cosmetics, skincare, and herbal products. A group of SL companies participated more..

Nov 3 (SO) Sri Lanka can be a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing in the region, if it could improve on quality and delivery of products, said a pharmaceutical industry expert and consultant last week. “Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical industry has the potential to be a hub for manufacturing pharmaceutical products in the region provided it works on quality and delivery which are key components to reach that goal,” said Kiran more..

Nov 3 (ST) One must confess to being a tad amused in the wake of India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Mr Ajit Doval proclaiming this Friday, clenched fists and all, that weak governance had led to regime change in Bangladesh, SL, Nepal and others. This was while hailing the governance model of his PM Narendra Modi in a speech delivered to mark the country’s National Unity Day, the Indian media exuberantly reported. The Indian National Security Advisor may possibly more..

Nov 3 (CT) The Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka are historically and strategically important regions that contribute significantly to the country’s economy, social development, and cultural heritage. Despite decades of conflict and disruption, these provinces possess immense potential due to their land resources, human capital, and emerging economic sectors. Northern Province: Comprises 5 districts — Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, and Vavuniya. more..

Nov 3 (Island) A woman has been arrested and remanded for driving dangerously and obstructing the police in Gampaha. She is alleged to have falsely claimed to be a Senior DIG’s sister. The matter is now before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court, and therefore it is best left to the learned judge. False personation or claiming fictitious links to those in authority, and name-dropping are typical ruses traffic law violators often use to evade legal action. more..

Nov 3 (Island) When the geography of the south of SL is considered, one would have to be a total idiot or complete knave to propose building an oil refinery in Hambantota. Just watch what happens when the North East monsoon sets in with the pollution from India, which like a blanket of haze covers the lowlands. Has anybody looked at the consequences of setting up an oil refinery in Hambantota ? What will happen to the air quality of the southern lowlands? The Walawe River basin, more..

Nov 3 (SO) The killing of Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera, known as Midigama Lasa, on Oct 22, shocked the country. The police reacted quickly. They launched a major operation and arrested the main suspect, the alleged assailant, in Nawinna, Maharagama, on October 26, 2025. This was seen as a big win for the police. But that success quickly turned sour. A video showing more..

Nov 3 (DM) The second time in two months the Opposition parties have announced they are forming an alliance against the govt, this time with a title for it. The Alliance, Maha Jana Handa or Voice of the People is to hold its first rally on Nov 21 in Nugegoda, a venue where many anti-govt campaigns kicked off in the past. The highly successful Mahinda Sulanga campaign by NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa and PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila was also launched at the same more..

Nov 3 (CT) The recent report that some 2,200 Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) staff have applied for voluntary retirement is a warning flag for the island’s services and infrastructure. The list includes engineers, accountants and hundreds from the Generation Division. If this pattern continues, the CEB will shrink its workforce by roughly 10 per cent and lose a large share of its experienced engineers; a loss the board itself says could cause operational trouble at power stations. more..

Nov 3 (CT) The world is stepping up to fight the drug menace, which is crippling human development across multiple dimensions. SL is intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, taking a structured and measured approach that emphasises law enforcement, rehabilitation, and public cooperation. The government has launched a national operation targeting traffickers, users, more..

Nov 3 (DM) Public transport is, in a way, a yardstick that measures the level of a country’s socio-economic development. In the developed world, people rely heavily on well-structured systems that include monorails, light rails, low-floor buses, high-capacity electric trains, and trams- all designed for efficient urban mass transportation. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s public transport sector today stands as one of the most visible symbols of the country’s decaying public systems. more..

Nov 3 (TM) Beginning 1 November, Sri Lanka took a notable step toward addressing a persistent environmental problem in the country, the excessive use and careless disposal of single-use polythene shopping bags with handles. The government’s decision to direct vendors to mandatorily charge consumers for these bags marks a new phase in the country’s efforts to reduce plastic use and waste. As expected, the new rule has sparked debate in markets across the country. more..

Nov 2 (ST) A group of opposition parties that first came together to condemn the arrest of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in August, announced plans this week to hold a joint anti-govt rally in Nugegoda on November 21. The rally will be titled Maha Jana Handa (The Voice of the People). The parties involved, which include the UNP, SLPP, SLFP led People’s Alliance (PA) and PHU, this week called on all those who are opposed to more..

Nov 2 (ST) Twenty officers of the Judicial Service Commission including a High Court judge, magistrates and district judges have been removed from their duties. Of these seven have had their services terminated while the others have been interdicted or sent on compulsory retirement. The HC judge in question is facing an inquiry before Supreme Court Justice Janaka de Silva. The termination of duties has been done following inquiries held into public complaints more..

Nov 2 (NW) The owner of a foreign employment agency in Maharagama has been remanded until November 14 over allegations of defrauding more than Rs. 740 million from job seekers by promising employment opportunities in Romania. The CID told the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court that around 470 complaints had been lodged with the SLBFE against the suspect agency. The bureau had later referred the complaints to the CID for investigation. The suspect, who surrendered to court through more..

Nov 2 (TM) Sinopec oil refinery project, which marks the largest-ever Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka’s history, is finally in its last stages, with the final agreements between the Chinese State-owned energy giant and the Board of Investment (BOI) now being finalised. Once these agreements are signed, construction on the multibillion-dollar oil refinery in Hambantota is expected to begin. more..

Nov 2 (SO) The Training of Trainers (ToT) program conducted by the National Institute of Education (NIE) to prepare schools for Education Reforms 2026 has been completed, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Seneviratne said yesterday. The initiative, a key step in implementing the reforms, was designed to equip senior educators and master trainers with the skills to guide classroom teachers in adopting the new activity-based, modular learning system. more..

Nov 2 (AD) A significant increase in total govt revenue excluding grants has been recorded during the first half of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024. The report shows that the total government revenue excluding grants in the first half of 2025 has increased to Rs. 2,321.7 billion, reflecting a growth of 24.8%, compared to Rs. 1,860.6 billion reported in the same period of 2024. Tax revenue has made the largest contribution to the increase in state revenue. Accordingly, tax revenue more..